THE number of people out of work fell by 400 in January, the first fall since November last year, when seasonal factors are taken into account.
The decline of 400 in the numbers unemployed brings the increase in unemployment over the year to 6,200. It follows an increase of 1,400 in December and a fall of 1,700 in November.
The number of young people under 25 unemployed in January increased by 200. Overall, since last January, the number has dropped by 2,700 when adjusted for seasonal factors.
The latest official unemployment figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that when seasonal factors are taken into account 281,300 were out of work at the end of January.
The unadjusted figures show an increase of 2,457 to 287,880 people on the Live Register in January and an increase of 6,199 over the 12 months from January 1995.
The unadjusted figures for the under 25s show a rise of 1,764 in January but a fall of 2,647 over the year. The National Youth Council of Ireland reacted angrily to the increase.
"Government policies to tackle unemployment among young people are not working. Some government departments should concern themselves more with the problem and less with blaming young people for the lack of opportunities," said Mr Peter Byrne director of the council.
Unemployment normally rises in January as people who were recruited for the holiday season return to the register. However the rise this year is slightly less thank would normally be expected.
The level of unemployment is measured by reference to the annual Labour Force Survey. According to this measure, the unemployment rate remained steady from December at 13 per cent but has fallen from 13.1 per cent in January last year.
Fianna Fail said it is "scandalous" that after a year of unprecedented growth the Live Register is 6,000 higher than a year ago. "The register stands at its highest level since March 1994 (on an unadjusted basis). It is also shocking that unemployment among young people has increased in the last month," said Ms Mary O'Rourke, deputy leader of Fianna Fail.
Ms O'Rourke also challenged the government to state what reduction in the register it expects this year. In the recent Budget Mr Ruairi Quinn, Minister for Finance, focussed on measures for the long term unemployed. He announced a new recruitment subsidy of £80 a week for employers to create 5,000, places for people who have been unemployed for at least three years. He also announced that those unemployed for at least one year would retain their medical card for three years after getting a job.
A programme for 18 and 19 year olds will require them to register with FAS or the Local Employment Service after six months on the live register.
